MCPPO Designation

Designation requires successful completion of Public Contracting Overview and Supplies and Services Contracting or Design and Construction Contracting. Also, there are education and experience requirements.

There are 6 MCPPO designations. Massachusetts jurisdictions widely recognize the designations as an indication that an MCPPO designee is familiar with Massachusetts procurement practices. In fact, municipal job postings often require an MCPPO designation. To be eligible to apply for an MCPPO designation, public purchasing officials must complete certain classes, pass multiple choice tests and meet certain educational and experience requirements. There is an application process and a fee.

An MCPPO designation is valid for 3 years. MCPPO designees must maintain their knowledge and skills and document continuing professional education to receive their recertification every 3 years.

The six MCPPO designations are:

MCPPO

Associate MCPPO

MCPPO for Supplies and Services Contracting

Associate MCPPO for Supplies and Services Contracting

MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting

Associate MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting

Designation Requirements

The MCPPO designation requires successful completion of the 3-day Public Contracting Overview seminar and either 1 or both of the other 3-day seminars, Supplies and Services Contracting or Design and Construction Contracting. To be eligible for any designation, you must currently hold a public procurement position with a Massachusetts public entity. The designation level depends on your education and public procurement experience. The application for designation requires information about your current position, seminars and trainings completed, relevant work history, education, and any criminal or civil violations.

Depending on the responsibilities of your position, you should decide which designation is most relevant. Earning an MCPPO designation means that you have the experience and education necessary for the procurement of supplies and services, as well as design and construction services. Earning an MCPPO for Supplies and Services Contracting means that you have the experience and education necessary for the procurement of supplies and services. Earning an MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting means that you have the experience and education requirements necessary for the procurement of design and construction services. Associate levels are available for all designations for people who are working towards the required the experience and education.

Additional Resources
for Designation Requirements

Massachusetts School Building Authority requirements for public officials

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) School Building Grant Program regulations require the MSBA to fairly consider all school building grant applications and to consistently apply the regulations to ensure both short-term and long-term financial viability. Part of the regulations require that a grant applicant who will be in charge of procurement for a project have the MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting (963 C.M.R. 2.03(2)(o)). A person who has a valid designation as an MCPPO or MCPPO for Design and Construction Contracting is automatically qualified to perform under the MSBA regulations.

Definitions applicable to all designations

Procurement means buying, purchasing, leasing, or otherwise acquiring supplies, services, design services, or construction work. It includes all of the functions that pertain to such acquisition, including description of requirements, selection of sources, solicitation and evaluation of offers, contract preparation and award, and all phases of contract administration, performed by an individual employed by a public entity.

Public procurement experience means a job that requires a minimum of 75 hours of work per month and that involves public procurement.

Management means managing or administering a procurement activity, but does not include principally clerical or data entry functions. To be considered a public procurement management position, a position must include:

decision-making authority with respect to procurement activities,

authority with respect to the procurement activities of public employees whose primary responsibility is procurement,

substantial responsibility for providing legal advice on procurement matters to public employees whose primary responsibility is procurement, or

substantial responsibility for conducting performance reviews or audits of public procurement activities.

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